A/N: So just an update. School just opened and since it's my third year in University the workload has been insane so I haven't been able to be as consistent as possible 🥺. In fact the only reason I still post Tensura at all is because it's my most popular fanfic, so others have been on a standstill.
But if yall want me to be an author at night, then buy me some goddam coffee and I'll sacrifice sleep for more chapters. My patreon is at the bottom and is only $5 (#Begger ✌. I'm really moving like Kai Cenat)
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Loki chuckled lightly.
"Come on, Yuuki. Why the cold welcome?" he said, spreading his arms slightly. "We're friends, aren't we? Shouldn't you greet me with a hug or something?"
In the next instant, Yuuki moved.
There was no warning, nor any buildup of intent. His body blurred forward, and his leg snapped upward in a precise, ruthless kick aimed straight at Loki's torso.
But Loki only smiled.
He lifted his knee casually and met the kick head-on.
BOOM.
A sharp shockwave exploded outward, rattling the office. Papers flew into the air, windows trembled, and the heavy desk groaned under the pressure. The two legs remained locked together for a brief moment, neither budging.
Loki tilted his head.
"How cold," he said lightly. "Did I perhaps do something to anger you?"
Yuuki clicked his tongue and withdrew his leg, landing smoothly.
"Listen," Yuuki said sharply. "I don't have time for your games. I demand an answer. Tell me who you are."
Loki's smile widened.
"That's quite ironic," he replied. "A man leading a bunch of clowns telling me he doesn't have time for games."
Yuuki's pupils contracted.
'Clowns…?'
His mind raced.
'How does he know that? The Moderate Harlequin Alliance isn't public knowledge. There shouldn't be anyone outside the inner circle—'
'Is there a traitor?'
No. That made no sense. Impossible, even.
Loki watched Yuuki's expression with amusement.
"You look confused, Yuuki."
Yuuki moved again.
This time, instead of a kick, he twisted his body and threw a sharp punch aimed straight at Loki's face. It was fast, fast enough to break bone if it landed.
Loki didn't even lean back.
He flicked his wrist.
Yuuki's fist was knocked aside as if swatted by an afterthought.
Yuuki's eyes widened slightly, but he didn't hesitate. He shifted his stance, preparing to chain another attack
And then
THUD.
An invisible force slammed down on him.
Yuuki's knees buckled instantly. His body was driven into the floor, cracks spreading beneath him like spiderwebs. His muscles screamed, refusing to obey him.
"W-What… is this?" Yuuki gasped.
He couldn't move.
Not a finger.
Not even his neck.
Loki looked down at him calmly.
"Gravity," he said. "I just increased the pressure acting on your body enough to pin you down."
He stepped closer, hands in his pockets.
"Look, Yuuki. All jokes aside—"
Before Loki could finish, the crushing pressure vanished.
Yuuki exploded upward.
His fist rocketed toward Loki's face, filled with desperation and resolve.
Loki's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Then his palm came down.
"I said, listen to me."
CRASH.
Loki struck Yuuki once.
Just once.
Yuuki was sent flying across the office like a ragdoll, smashing through the air and crashing into the far wall. Stone shattered, cracks spreading outward as his body slumped down.
"Gah—!"
Yuuki coughed violently, blood splattering onto the floor. His vision swam as he struggled to sit upright.
'This guy…'
His hands trembled.
'He's too strong.'
'I can't win.'
'What is this overwhelming strength…?'
Loki stood where he was, clicking his tongue.
"That Anti-Skill ability of yours," he said with genuine interest. "Honestly? What an insane ability."
He chuckled.
"If I were here for a fight, I'd definitely leave with it as a souvenir."
Yuuki's blood ran cold.
Loki's gaze sharpened.
"But I didn't come here to fight. I came to talk. So we'll have to put that on hold."
Yuuki wiped the blood from his mouth and let out a weak chuckle.
"It seems… you know everything about me."
He pushed himself up, forcing his body to cooperate, and straightened his clothes as best as he could.
"You're strong," Yuuki admitted calmly. "I stand no chance against you."
He exhaled slowly.
"So fine. I'll listen to whatever you have to say."
Loki smiled.
He walked over to Yuuki's desk, pulled out the chair opposite him, and sat down like he owned the place.
"Giving up that easily?" Loki said. "I thought you'd put up more of a fight."
Yuuki moved back to his own chair, sat down across from him, and clasped his hands together.
"I could fight," Yuuki replied evenly. "But what would be the point?"
Loki shrugged.
"Fair enough."
He leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other.
"So," Loki continued casually, "I have two matters I want to discuss with you."
Yuuki's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded.
"Go on," he said. "I'm listening."
The room fell silent.
---
Loki leaned back in his chair, a lazy smile spreading across his face.
"Yuuki. Don't you ever think this world is incredibly boring?" Loki said.
Yuuki frowned slightly, clearly confused.
"I don't know," Yuuki replied. "I wouldn't say that."
Loki shrugged.
"Well, I do. I think this world needs a bit of fun. A bit of something interesting."
Yuuki let out a long sigh.
"Normally, when a demon talks about 'fun,' it involves the deaths of many people."
Loki chuckled softly.
"Don't act like you care about the well-being of people, Yuuki."
Yuuki's gaze hardened.
"Well, maybe I don't," he said, "but that doesn't mean I'm anything like you."
"Relax," Loki replied lightly. "All I'm looking to do is create a bit of harmless chaos."
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming.
"But in order to do that, I'm missing something. Or you could say… someone."
Yuuki narrowed his eyes.
"And that being?"
Loki's smile widened.
"The Storm Dragon. Veldora."
Yuuki stiffened, his composure cracking for just a moment.
"…You mean the dragon that was sealed over three hundred years ago?"
"Indeed," Loki answered without hesitation. "I'm planning to get him unsealed. But I won't be able to do it alone."
Yuuki shook his head slowly.
"Do you understand what you're planning?" he said. "Veldora is a calamity that thinks of nothing but destruction. Unsealing him is honestly just dumb."
Loki waved the concern away.
"Don't worry about that. I'm actually good buddies with Veldora. He won't get out of hand."
Yuuki stared at him, disbelief written all over his face.
"…Alright," Yuuki said cautiously. "Then how do you plan on unsealing him?"
Loki's eyes gleamed with amusement.
"That's where you and your clowns come in."
Yuuki's expression darkened instantly.
"Explain."
"The key to unsealing Veldora lies within The Holy Empire of Lubelius," Loki said calmly. "And I'm planning to raid it."
Yuuki shot to his feet.
"Are you crazy?" he snapped. "That nation has insane military strength. That's basically suicide."
Loki grinned.
"Well, yes. That's exactly why I need your help."
He continued casually.
"I'm quite strong, sure. But I haven't ascended to Demon Lord yet. I don't see myself defeating Luminous Valentine, Louis Valentin, Roy Valentin, Hinata Sakaguchi, Temple Knights & Crusaders, Bloody Knights, and The Seven Luminaries all alone."
Yuuki pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This all sounds insane," he muttered. "Besides… what's in this for me?"
Loki's smile sharpened.
"I get to keep your secret a secret," he said smoothly. "And I don't expose your plans of taking over the Eastern Empire to the Emperor."
Yuuki clicked his tongue sharply.
"…I've been got."
He let out a slow breath.
"There's no way to say no in this situation, is there?"
Loki answered by flashing a wide, delighted smile.
"Now then, Yuuki," he said, "let's talk about how we successfully invade Demon Lord Luminous."
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